BANGLADESH

Bangladesh, the most densely populated country in the world, an incredible photojournalistic journey with my great photographer friend Cristiano Ostinelli.
A raw and touching immersion into the reality of people working hard to survive.
Starting from Dhaka, the capital, we immediately dove into the vast Matuail landfill, where thousands of people, often entire families, live and work as waste pickers. Life in the Matuail landfill is extremely harsh and dangerous, with precarious living conditions.
Next, we entered the brick factories, a significant part of the country's economy. These factories produce a large quantity of bricks used for building construction throughout Bangladesh; however, many operate in unsafe and unhealthy conditions, exposing workers to hazards such as harmful dust and toxic fumes. Furthermore, they often involve child labor and exploitative practices.
The shipyards were also a focal point of our journey, specializing in the demolition, repair, and construction of ships of various sizes and types. The shipyard in Chittagong, in particular, is one of the largest in the world for ship demolition, with a significant number of decommissioned commercial vessels brought here from around the globe to be dismantled.
Shipyards in Bangladesh are known for their extremely dangerous conditions, and exact estimates of the death toll can vary, as many incidents often go unreported or undocumented. In this incredible reportage, we documented numerous stories beyond those I have described—an astonishing country that truly left a mark on my heart.
M.C.